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Despite a difficult quarter, McDonald’s looks resilient in the face of various pressures, analysts say — something the company shares with U.S. consumers overall. “The spotlight is always on McDonald’s because it’s so big” and something of a “bellwether,” she said. That spurred former President Donald Trump to sling fries this month at a Philadelphia-area McDonald’s in a photo op. Like many major brands, McDonald’s raked in big profits as the economy reopened from the pandemic. “The thing that McDonald’s had struggled with, and why I think we’re seeing kind of an inflection point, is a value proposition,” Senatore said.

Persons: McDonald’s, Mickey D’s, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Gordon Haskett, ” Kempczinski, Ravi Dhar, ”, Sara Senatore, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Mickey D’s ’, Senatore, they’d, —, Eric Thayer, ” Senatore, Sam Oches, Oches, ‘, “, Jim Salera, Stephens, Jack Kleinhenz, hasn’t, “ They’re, ” Oches Organizations: U.S, Yale University’s Center, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Getty, Coca, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, JetBlue, Democratic, National Retail, JPMorgan Locations: U.S, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Amazon

☆ McDonald's executives say E. coli outbreak is 'behind us'
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A week after health authorities publicly linked a deadly E. coli outbreak to McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers, the company's CEO, Chris Kempczinski, told investors that the situation is now behind them. On Sunday, McDonald's said Quarter Pounder burgers would return to the roughly 900 restaurants where the company had pulled the menu item following the outbreak. McDonald's has stopped sourcing onions from the supplier indefinitely and will return the Quarter Pounder to menus sans slivered onions. As of Friday, 75 health cases across 13 states have been tied to the outbreak, including one death of an older adult. At least three lawsuits have already been filed against McDonald's by victims of the outbreak.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, we've, Kempczinski, McDonald's, Ian Borden, Borden Organizations: and Drug Administration

☆ McDonald's says store visits and sales dropped in wake of E. coli outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's says daily sales took a hit as some customers avoided its restaurants during the E. coli outbreak. AdvertisementA number of McDonald's US customers stayed away from the arches last week as news of the E. coli outbreak spread. The company said Tuesday that daily sales took a hit as customers avoided its restaurants during the health scare. Related storiesOver the weekend, health officials linked the outbreak to slivered onions from a single supplier, an ingredient ordinarily used on McDonald's Quarter Pounder burgers. McDonald's began resuming sales of Quarter Pounders in the affected areas this week, although some locations will not serve the entrée with onions.

Persons: McDonald's, —, Ian Borden, Chris Kempczinski, Borden, Kempczinski, we've Organizations: Service Locations: Colorado

☆ McDonald's sales dropped for the 2nd quarter in a row as customers keep tightening their belts
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's global sales fell for the second consecutive quarter, down 1.5%. AdvertisementGlobal sales at McDonald's have fallen for a second consecutive quarter as the fast-food chain struggled in international markets, especially France, the UK, China, and the Middle East. Sales were down 1.5% in its third quarter, following from a 1% slide in the previous quarter, ending June 30. Comparable sales in the US were virtually flat, up 0.3% from the same period in 2023, while sales in international markets dropped 2.1%. Sales in licensed international markets fell 3.5%.

Persons: —, Chris Kempczinski, Neil Saunders Organizations: Service, Consumers Locations: France, China, McDonald's

☆ McDonald’s needed to win Americans back. Then came an E. coli outbreak
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-28 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Even for a brand as gargantuan as McDonald’s, the last few months have been… a lot. The timing of the outbreak is especially challenging for McDonald’s as it has been trying to win back customers who’ve been put off by higher prices. Over the summer McDonald’s did an about face to try to win people back. “It had been a pretty strong quarter.”And absent the E. coli outbreak, Tuesday’s earnings call might have been all about the value menu and the Crocs. The length and severity of the outbreak is now a wild card for analysts as they assess McDonald’s financial future.

Persons: CNN Business ’, Chris Gaulke, Cornell University’s Nolan, who’ve, Chris Kempczinski, McDonald’s, They’ve, ” RJ Hottovy, it’s, ” Hottovy, “ McDonald’s, McDonald’s didn’t, “ We’ve, Sara Senatore, Chipotle, ” Senatore, “, ”, Wendy’s Organizations: CNN Business, New York CNN, shimmer, New York Mets, Cornell University’s, Cornell University’s Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Associated Press, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Bank of America, Wendy’s Locations: New York

Three Democratic senators are asking McDonald’s about its menu price hikes in recent years, arguing that the increases are higher than they should be — even with inflation and rising operating costs. McDonald’s prices have raised eyebrows. It also asked whether McDonald’s executives received bonuses or other incentive-based compensation from 2020 to 2024 and whether any incentives were based on executives’ ability to increase per-customer profits. Large corporations “owe consumers transparency when they hike menu prices,” Wyden said in a statement to NBC News. “Fast food chains, like McDonald’s, are raking in profits while families struggle to buy meals that are meant to be affordable and accessible.”

Persons: Elizabeth Warren of, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Ron Wyden, Chris Kempczinski, “, ”, McDonald’s, Joe Erlinger, —, Erlinger, Warren, Madeleine Dean, General Mills, Casey, Kempczinski, ” Wyden Organizations: Democratic, Oregon, NBC News, USA, Roosevelt Institute, Mac, Cola, PepsiCo, Wall, McDonald’s Locations: Sens, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, U.S, Connecticut, shrinkflation, ”

☆ Sorry fast food fans — your burger is only going to get more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Nora Redmond | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Beef prices in the US are rising due to a historic drought and herd liquidation. Fast food chains like McDonald's and Burger King have already raised prices due to inflation. AdvertisementInflation has not been kind to food prices — especially for eating out. AdvertisementThe USDA reported that this led to record retail beef prices, with an all-fresh value of $8.15 per pound for July. "The reality is over the next couple of years, beef prices are going to continue to go higher," Zimmerman said.

Persons: Burger King, —, Chris Kempczinski, Burger, Lance Zimmerman, Rabo AgriFinance, McDonald's, Erin McDowell, Zimmerman, Taco Bell, Jay Bandy, Bandy, Dudler Organizations: Service, Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Brands, Department of Agriculture, Goliath Consulting, Accenture Locations: Olive, Taco, Georgia

☆ McDonald’s is finally selling the Chicken Big Mac in the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —When McDonald’s rolled out the Chicken Big Mac in the United Kingdom, it sold out within 10 days. The Chicken Big Mac is similar to its beefy sibling; however, it replaces the two burgers with two tempura chicken patties. It also includes the signature Big Mac sauce, pickles, shredded lettuce and a slice of American cheese. In a press release Thursday, McDonald’s says that its customers have been “clamoring” for the Chicken Big Mac after making previous appearances on the chain’s menu across the world. The Chicken Big Mac has made a brief appearance in the US before: In 2022, McDonald’s released it as a test in some of its Miami restaurants to gather feedback from customers.

Persons: McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, it’s, ” Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland, Miami, Canada

☆ McDonald’s $5 value meal is sticking around until December
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-12 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —The McDonald’s $5 meal deal is staying on menus until December, a sign that inflation-weary customers are devouring value meals recently offered by fast food chains. The Chicago-based fast-food giant announced the $5 meal deal in June. In July, McDonald’s said that the vast majority of restaurants would keep it on the menu until August. The meal features either a McChicken sandwich or McDouble cheeseburger, small fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets and a small soft drink. McDonald’s also announced a slew of fall deals — from $0.50 Double Cheeseburgers for National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18 to a $2 McCrispy sandwich for National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day on Nov. 9.

Persons: McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, Burger, we’re, ” Joe Erlinger Organizations: New, New York CNN, McDonald’s USA Locations: New York, Chicago

☆ McDonald’s is giving its McFlurry a makeover
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-04 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Nearly a year after McDonald’s ditched the hollow plastic spoon, more changes are coming for the McFlurry. McDonald’s set a goal in 2018 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its offices and restaurants by 36% between 2015 and 2030. In 2023, McDonald’s phased out the McFlurry plastic spoon, which doubled as a spindle that inserted into a machine to mix in the toppings. Also rolling out next week is a smaller McFlurry serving size, called the Mini McFlurry, for customers looking for a petite or more budget-appeasing dessert option. Adding more value-minded items, like a Mini McFlurry, could help McDonald’s reposition the chain as a source for budget-friendly food.

Persons: McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN Locations: New York

☆ Restaurant CEOs’ new favorite word is value as they aim to bring back customers
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"The word 'value' has received a lot of airtime in the past few months," Josh Kobza, the CEO of Burger King parent company Restaurant Brands International , said on Thursday. Value for shareholdersA drive-through area of a Burger King restaurant in Peoria, Ill. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesCompanies aren't just thinking about offering value for customers — they're also thinking about shareholder value. For example, Burger King was one of the first chains to unveil a $5 value meal this summer. When its rivals followed suit with their own $5 discount deals, the Restaurant Brands chain didn't see any clear impact to its business. "There are actually some positives to the focus on value across the industry," Restaurant Brands' Kobza told CNBC.

Persons: Mario Tama, McDonald's, Josh Kobza, Burger, There's, Taco Bell, Papa, Ravi Thanawala, Chris Kempczinski, Richa Naidu, Kempczinski, it's, Brian Niccol, Adam Jeffery, Niccol, John Peyton, IHOP, It's, Peyton, Daniel Acker, — they're, They're, Burger King, Kobza Organizations: Getty, Taco Bell, Yum Brands, Restaurant Brands, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Burger King, Reuters, Grill, CNBC, Brands, Peoria , Ill, Bloomberg, Starbucks, U.S Locations: Burbank , California, Burger King, Oak Brook , Illinois, Peoria ,

☆ Consumer giants from Starbucks to General Mills have one big sales problem: China
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-07 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesBEIJING — A theme emerging in the latest slew of U.S. companies' earnings reports is a drag from the China market. "Consumer sentiment in China is quite weak," McDonald's chairman, CEO and director Christopher Kempczinski, said of the quarter ended June 30. Apple said Greater China sales fell by 6.5% year-on-year in the quarter ended June 29. Procter and Gamble said China sales for the quarter ending late June fell by 9%. The only public disclosures regarding Peet's China business described it as "strong double-digit organic sales growth" in the first half of the year.

Persons: —, Christopher Kempczinski, McDonald's, Lei Meng, Apple, Johnson, that's, General Mills, Kofi Bruce, Mills, Andre Schulten, Procter, Gamble, Schulten, Marriott's, Domino's, DPC Dash, There's, James Quincey, Quincey, We've, Laxman Narasimhan, Luckin Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, BEIJING, U.S, Nationwide, UBS Securities, General, Procter, Marriott, Asia Pacific, Starbucks Locations: Yichang, Hubei province, China, U.S, Canada, Greater China, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Asia, Peet's

☆ McDonald's says its $5 meal deal is just the tip of the iceberg
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Mary Hanbury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Its CEO said in a new interview that its temporary $5 deal is just the start of its refocus on value. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Kempczinski suggested that this deal is just the start of a renewed push into value for the chain. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: McDonald's, —, CNBC's, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski Organizations: Service, Business

☆ McDonald's says fast food sales are suffering most in California
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

McDonald's says fast food sales are suffering most in California. McDonald's raised menu prices in CA to offset the state's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMcDonald's CEO says fast food sales are suffering in California as menu prices increased to offset the state's $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers. "You're seeing in California, the business there is falling off to a greater degree than what you're seeing in other markets around the US," CEO Chris Kempczinski told CNBC's Squawk Box.

Persons: McDonald's, Kempczinski, —, Chris Kempczinski, CNBC's, We've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: California, CA

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with McDonald's CEO Chris KempczinskiChris Kempczinski, McDonald’s president and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results, state of the consumer, rollout of the $5 value menu, impact of minimum wage increase in California, and more.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski Chris Kempczinski Locations: California

☆ McDonald's CEO on state of the consumer: Seeing category slowdown from almost every major market
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailMcDonald's CEO on state of the consumer: Seeing category slowdown from almost every major marketChris Kempczinski, McDonald’s president and CEO, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the company's quarterly earnings results, state of the consumer, rollout of the $5 value menu, impact of minimum wage increase in California, and more.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski Locations: California

☆ McDonald's has started selling an even bigger burger — the 14-ounce Big Arch
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The burger contains two beef patties, three slices of white processed cheese, crispy onions, raw onions, pickles, lettuce, and a new Big Arch sauce in a sesame seed bun, per a description of the burger on the McDonald's Portugal website. Advertisement"It's a quintessential McDonald's burger with a twist on our iconic familiar flavors," he said. The burger weighs 395 grams (about 14 ounces) and contains 1,065 calories, per McDonald's Portugal. "We thought the opportunity was about premium burger which was wrong," CFO Ian Borden said earlier this year. Another part of the plan included McDonald's launch of its "Best Burger" strategy last year, changing its burgers' ingredients and how they're cooked.

Persons: —, It's, Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, McDonald's, it's, Borden, Ian Borden Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Canada, Portugal, Ontario, Alberta, Lisbon

☆ McDonald's executives admit diners think prices are too high, say they're working to create value
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Ece Yildirim | In Ecedyildirim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's executives acknowledged Monday that diners consider the company's prices too high as lower-income consumers balk after years of high inflation. During the company's second-quarter earnings call Monday, executives said they are taking a "forensic approach" to evaluating prices and trying to create value. We are working to fix that with pace," McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski said on the company's earnings call. The offer also began to increase guest count growth, but it has not yet translated into sales increases, company executives said on the call. The $5 value meal was rolled out only days before the second quarter ended.

Persons: Chris Kempczinski, Kempczinski, Joe Erlinger, Erlinger, we've, — CNBC's Amelia Lucas, Kate Rogers Locations: U.S, Placer.ai

☆ McDonald's just admitted that it's too expensive, and it's driving some customers away
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

McDonald's says that high prices have contributed to its falling sales. He said customers are looking for more deals and either buying fewer items per order or cheaper items. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMcDonald's just admitted that its food is too expensive, contributing to falling sales at the fast-food giant. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: McDonald's, —, Chris Kempczinski Organizations: Global, Service, Business

☆ Americans keep turning their backs on McDonald’s
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( David Goldman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Inflation has caught up with McDonald’s, and budget-conscious Americans are looking elsewhere for their fast-food fix. The tough environment for McDonald’s wasn’t limited to the United States: Sales at stores open for at least a year fell 1% globally. The plan focuses on value meal plans like the popular $5 meal introduced earlier this summer. He pointed to McDonald’s new emphasis on chicken, which is now on par with beef sales at restaurants. Whether or not that viral post was the final straw for McDonald’s customers, Americans have been punishing the company ever since.

Persons: McDonald’s, McDonald’s isn’t, Grimace’s, ”, Chris Kempczinski, hadn’t, Kempczinski, “, ” Kempczinski, — Organizations: CNN, Inflation, McDonald’s Locations: Burger, United States, Connecticut

☆ The reason why McDonald's stock is soaring despite a big earnings miss: Value meals
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( Kelly Cloonan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

McDonald's global comparable sales fell 1% year-over-year last quarter, missing analyst estimates. The company plans to focus on value going forward as low income customers grow weary from inflation. McDonald's same-store sales fell 1% in the most recent quarter, marking the first decrease in same-store sales since 2020. Its net income for the quarter fell to $2.02 billion, down from $2.31 billion the year before. Low income customers, in particular, are shying away from fast food as inflation soas.

Persons: —, McDonald's, Chris Kempczinski, Joe Erlinger, Kempczinski Organizations: Service, Consumers Locations: New York, McDonald's, U.S

☆ Outrage over an $18 Big Mac sparked a consumer revolt that finally got companies to listen
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New CNN —Pop quiz: How much does a Big Mac, fries and a fountain beverage – also known as a Big Mac combo meal – cost? In a recent letter, Joe Erlinger, president of McDonald’s USA, said $18 for a Big Mac combo was the “exception” and not the norm across all 13,700 restaurants in the country. The thing is: It doesn’t really matter that virtually no one is paying anything close to $18 for a Big Mac combo. “The average price of a Big Mac in the US was $4.39 in 2019,” Erlinger said in his recent letter. Behold: Price cuts and value menusI’d be willing to bet Erlinger was made aware of the viral $18 Big Mac combo post not long after it took off.

Persons: It’s, Joe Erlinger, Erlinger, it’s, They’re, ” Erlinger, aren’t, haven’t, Price, Christopher Kempczinski, they’ve, Ian Borden, they’re Organizations: CNN, McDonald’s, Mac, Consumer, Walgreens, Walmart, Wendy’s Locations: Connecticut, McDonald’s USA, Amazon

☆ I drove to Chicago to try out McDonald's little-known CosMc's test location. Dunkin Donuts should be on alert.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

McDonald's now has four CosMc's locations open, one near Chicago and three near Dallas. I visited the original Chicago location. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . McDonald's now has four locations open for testing — one near Chicago and three near Dallas — with six more Texas locations slated for this year. "CosMc's is a small format concept with all the DNA of McDonald's but its own unique personality.

Persons: McDonald's, Dunkin, —, Chris Kempczinski Organizations: Service, Dallas, Business Locations: Chicago, Dallas, Dallas —, Texas

The president of McDonald’s USA, Joe Erlinger, pushed back on “inaccurate” reports this week that said the chain had more than doubled its prices on some items over the last decade. But his retort wasn’t exactly reassuring: The average price of a Big Mac is up 21 percent from 2019. Erlinger’s rebuttal underlines the heat that some companies are facing as the news media, politicians and consumers focus on steadily rising prices. Whether persistent price increases reflect price gouging, or simply companies’ own rising costs, is a matter of fierce debate. Either way, one thing is clear: Consumers are becoming fed up.

Persons: Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski Organizations: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Target, Yum Brands, KFC, Consumer Locations: McDonald’s USA, Pizza

☆ Fast food deals were off the table. Now they’re roaring back
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

KFC recently introduced a value menu with meals starting at $4.99. But it’s been a long time since they used discounted meals as a strategy to drive traffic, noted Peter Saleh, restaurant analyst at BTIG. KFC launched its value menu earlier that month. A Burger King spokesperson confirmed to CNN that it plans to offer a $5 meal, without sharing more details. And more deals don’t mean that menu prices are dropping, or even staying the same.

Persons: Burger King, Taco Bell, Jack, Wendy’s, it’s, Peter Saleh, haven’t, ”, we’ve, ” Price, ” Saleh, Chris Kempczinski, “, McDonald’s, Burger, Paul Weaver, Kempczinski, NOA, ” Cowen, Andrew Charles, Eva Marie Uzcategui, McDonald’s “, ” Charles, David Henkes, Josh Kobza, Henkes, BTIG’s Saleh Organizations: New, New York CNN, KFC, BTIG, Street Journal, National Owners Association, Bloomberg, Getty, CNN, Restaurant Brands Locations: New York, Technomic, Burger King

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